sensor problem temp sensor
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 2
From: Huntsville AL
sensor problem temp sensor
need help with temp sensor. when I start my car up the sensor will show outside temp of 70 then it will get up to temp outside then go back to 65 or 70 then back up again any suggestions?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,170
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From: Yuma CO
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Mine was doing the same type of thing and I ignored it as it didn't seem like a big deal. It continued to get worse with drastically more eroneous read outs as to outside temp and eventually caused my A/C to quit working as it (the A/C) thought I didn't need cooler air. I got myself all ready to pay for a major A/C fix and took the car in to the dealer that I trust here, locally. They found the problem and replaced the $10 outside ambient temp sensor and everything works great again!!!! Made me feel great as a less accomplished service department might have replaced the A/C compressor and who knows what all else before they found the problem resulting in MANY wasted dollars on my part!!!!!
It's a $10 dollar part that you can replace yourself very easily. I would say do so. Its down low on the passenger side of the radiator shroud.
It's a $10 dollar part that you can replace yourself very easily. I would say do so. Its down low on the passenger side of the radiator shroud.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 2
From: Huntsville AL
Originally Posted by DSTURBD
Mine was doing the same type of thing and I ignored it as it didn't seem like a big deal. It continued to get worse with drastically more eroneous read outs as to outside temp and eventually caused my A/C to quit working as it (the A/C) thought I didn't need cooler air. I got myself all ready to pay for a major A/C fix and took the car in to the dealer that I trust here, locally. They found the problem and replaced the $10 outside ambient temp sensor and everything works great again!!!! Made me feel great as a less accomplished service department might have replaced the A/C compressor and who knows what all else before they found the problem resulting in MANY wasted dollars on my part!!!!!
It's a $10 dollar part that you can replace yourself very easily. I would say do so. Its down low on the passenger side of the radiator shroud.
It's a $10 dollar part that you can replace yourself very easily. I would say do so. Its down low on the passenger side of the radiator shroud.
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I too bet your temp sensor located near the radiator under the front of the car is the culprit. Cheap part and not too difficult to install.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I too bet your temp sensor located near the radiator under the front of the car is the culprit. Cheap part and not too difficult to install.
Part number is 10248414
I have a photo of where it is I can send you if you want it.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Originally Posted by DSTURBD
Mine was doing the same type of thing and I ignored it as it didn't seem like a big deal. It continued to get worse with drastically more eroneous read outs as to outside temp and eventually caused my A/C to quit working as it (the A/C) thought I didn't need cooler air. I got myself all ready to pay for a major A/C fix and took the car in to the dealer that I trust here, locally. They found the problem and replaced the $10 outside ambient temp sensor and everything works great again!!!! Made me feel great as a less accomplished service department might have replaced the A/C compressor and who knows what all else before they found the problem resulting in MANY wasted dollars on my part!!!!!
It's a $10 dollar part that you can replace yourself very easily. I would say do so. Its down low on the passenger side of the radiator shroud.
It's a $10 dollar part that you can replace yourself very easily. I would say do so. Its down low on the passenger side of the radiator shroud.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Just finished replacing mine. I went to local dealer for the part,$8.14 plus I bought another push retainer for $.30, for a total with tax $9.26. I cut the push retainer off from under the car, then just opened the hood and replaced the sensor from above. It took maybe 10 to 15 min. I drove the car and the sensor started acting correctly.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by DocToss
I thought the ac read the internal temp sensor, not the ambient temp sensor. My ambient temp sensor is acting up and I am in no hurry to fix it unless you are correct in that it will eventually damage my ac?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 0
From: Spring Branch Texas
Originally Posted by DocToss
Just finished replacing mine. I went to local dealer for the part,$8.14 plus I bought another push retainer for $.30, for a total with tax $9.26. I cut the push retainer off from under the car, then just opened the hood and replaced the sensor from above. It took maybe 10 to 15 min. I drove the car and the sensor started acting correctly.
Did mine last week. The contacts in the old one were completely corroded. EASY FIX. Two hints: Push the retainer pin through FIRST to loosen up the wires (easier to work on with slack). #2 - It is easy to access from the top. Stick one hand down the side of the radiator, your other hand reaches through the seam between the hood and front of car. (You need to REALLY wiggle the sensor to disconnect it from a weather-tight gasket.)The A/C still will work if the bad sensor reads about 70. You just turn the A/C temp down to 60.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Originally Posted by RCK1999
Did mine last week. The contacts in the old one were completely corroded. EASY FIX. Two hints: Push the retainer pin through FIRST to loosen up the wires (easier to work on with slack). #2 - It is easy to access from the top. Stick one hand down the side of the radiator, your other hand reaches through the seam between the hood and front of car. (You need to REALLY wiggle the sensor to disconnect it from a weather-tight gasket.)The A/C still will work if the bad sensor reads about 70. You just turn the A/C temp down to 60.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 0
From: Spring Branch Texas
Originally Posted by DocToss
Mine did not have a gasket. The sensor just fit in the slot. Is there supposed to be some type of gasket?
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: St. Helens Oregon
Thanks for the great info. I've been trying to ignore the problem thinking it was going to cost big $$$$. With these 100 degree days it's been getting harder to ignore though. I'm fixing tomorrow.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 0
From: Apopka FL
Okay, I bought the part, went to replace it and it doesn't seem like the right part. On the passenger side between the radiator and the front down about 1/2 (opposite side of light for hood) is the part, correct?? I was able to pull a weather proof insert out of something that looks like the part. Two differences, the inside does not have exactly what the plug has,(close but no cigar), and the attachment point is different. What am I missing? Any pics please email to medstrom@cfl.rr.com Mine is a late year 2000. Was this a part for all years??
Did mine last week. The contacts in the old one were completely corroded. EASY FIX. Two hints: Push the retainer pin through FIRST to loosen up the wires (easier to work on with slack). #2 - It is easy to access from the top. Stick one hand down the side of the radiator, your other hand reaches through the seam between the hood and front of car. (You need to REALLY wiggle the sensor to disconnect it from a weather-tight gasket.)
The A/C still will work if the bad sensor reads about 70. You just turn the A/C temp down to 60.
Originally Posted by RCK1999
Did mine last week. The contacts in the old one were completely corroded. EASY FIX. Two hints: Push the retainer pin through FIRST to loosen up the wires (easier to work on with slack). #2 - It is easy to access from the top. Stick one hand down the side of the radiator, your other hand reaches through the seam between the hood and front of car. (You need to REALLY wiggle the sensor to disconnect it from a weather-tight gasket.)The A/C still will work if the bad sensor reads about 70. You just turn the A/C temp down to 60.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,038
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
This is a MS Word doc on Temp Sensor replacement information (Richin Chicago forwarded this for posting);
http://www.realrange.com/shared/sensorreplacement.doc
http://www.realrange.com/shared/sensorreplacement.doc